Ngorongoro Crater is a part of the Ngorongoro conservation area, it was discovered in the late 1800’s, the area was well defined in the 1959 as a protected area, the Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest caldera, it was formed as a result of volcanicity an eruption of a huge mountain over 3 million years ago, this sunk on its own weight hence forming the caldera, the magic land is full of life despite Zebras and wildebeests not migrating, it is an excellent not to miss destination while planning to see wildlife on your bucket list in Tanzania.
Wildlife in Ngorongoro crater is abundant, there are about 115 mammal species present in the ecosystem, the floor of the crater supports large herds of African buffaloes which are usually spotted matching together to drinking places, leopards are rare to see but also residents of the region, lions, leopards, African buffaloes, African elephants, zebras, reedbucks, waterbucks, bush bucks, cheetahs, elands, Thomas gazelles, wildebeests, crocodiles, wild dogs , cokes hartebeests, giant horned grants gazelles. Along the Lerai forest there are great long tusked elephant bulls, the females and calves do not breed in the crater however they tend to use it to pass through and search for greener pastures.
Ngorongoro crater is one of the great places of east Africa to search for the endangered species of the black rhino, these mammal species have greatly reduced in population numbers overtime due to consistent poaching in search of ivory thanks to the continued conservation policies numbers have kept on increasing, it boasts large numbers of predators including prides of lions golden Jackal, bat eared fox, there are no giraffes or impalas present in the region due to its high steep, these can rather be seen in the neighboring national parks along the northern circuit.
Wildlife in Ngorongoro crater presents a great bird list, over 500 species of birds have been recorded example species include, lesser and greater flamingoes, ostrich, kori bustard, rosy throated long claw,the babbler rufous tailed weaver, grey crowned cranes, adbims storks, fishers love bird, handsome Augur buzzard,secetary bird, Egyptian goose, black kites to mention afew, these are best seen during the wet season when the crater receives more of migratory species.
Wildlife in Ngorongoro crater is seen during activities like game drives, these are the main activity of the conservation area, they are done in search of the many species of animals that have been recorded in the national park, through the well distributed trails expect to see wild animals, birding is done mostly on guided nature walks and an experienced driver guide who is knowlgeable and with perfect in formation of the biodiverse environment.
Besides wildlife in Ngorongoro crater, the whole conservation area is filled with big history and culture, the oldvai gorge is one place on earth where findings of humid fossils have been discovered, the remains of early man have been discovered here and perfectly preserved in the old vai museum. Trips to the Ngorongoro crater can be combined together with those along the northern circuit of Tanzania to the Serengeti National park or Lake Manyara national park.